Changing guitar neck

[Chris_Allen]

I bought a new Variax JTV69S as I like my model tech. Many places on the web warned of the crappy neck but I didn't really pay much notice as people tend to complain when it isn't a Strat neck. Anyway, turns out that the neck is actually quite crap.

I purchased on eBay an 80's Charvel neck with the same 25.5" length and heel width. The profile of the heel is slightly different though, so what is the best way of copying the profile?

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

Be more specific as to what you mean by profile. Does it not fit into the pocket?

[Chris_Allen]

Yes, the shape of the heel is different but the width is the same.

Ideally I what to sit the neck in the 'pocket' so the last fret is in exactly the same position. At the moment, it sits too far out, so the Charvel neck needs either filing, routing or some other method so the new neck fits snug.

There is some margin for error as you can change the intonation.

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

I see. Use a rasp to trim back the heel of the neck, then sand it and finish it. Trying to do it with a power tool is too risky.

[Chris_Allen]

I had a brain wave!

The scratch plate should have a near perfect profile which I can check against.

Thanks.

[SimonD]

Do a search for "spiling", you should find quite a few methods of transfering a profile, especially in boat building circles.

Cheers S

[Bill Fitzmaurice]

Do a search for "spiling", you should find quite a few methods of transfering a profile, especially in boat building circles.

Transferring a profile is easy, use one of these:

http://www.amazon.com/Woodworkers-Conto ... B0019NBY5W